New York City

Published November 11, 2015

How Our Favorite FHIXers Are Training for the NYC Marathon

Emily Fox started coming to Fhitting Room when she was recovering from tearing cartilage in her hip. After taking 6 months off, she started training for her next marathon. After 4 months of getting her FHIX of about 400 burpees, pistol squats, and kettlebell swings, Emily ran her fastest time at the NYC Marathon.

Emily continues to run marathons and improve her strength, endurance, and speed.

How does getting your FHIX help you prepare for running such a challenging race? Getting my FHIX has made me stronger, faster, and overall better prepared for my races.

Favorite cross training Fhitting Room exercise?I have to give thanks to my arch nemesis, suspension training hamstring curls, for hitting me where it hurts, and the love of my life, Beyoncé, for getting me through the 20 milers.

Song that helps you push through the last leg of the race?The night before I ran the Boston Marathon, one of my dearest friends--someone I met at Monday night Fhitting Room classes--asked what was on my playlist. It was just 50 minutes worth of "Drunk in Love" by Beyonce on repeat to be used in case of emergency.

Jenna Arndt, Client Relations Manager recently ran the Adirondack Marathon in September. She gets her FHIX to help her cross train and become an overall better athlete.

How does getting your FHIX help you prepare for running such a challenging race? Cross training and strength training are almost just as important as HITting the road! You're going to need every ounce of strength to cross the finish line, and preserving lean muscle is a must! I always make sure to add some extra core work into my weekly routine when training for a race as these muscles are critical in maintaining running posture for long periods of time.

Favorite cross training (TFR) exercise?I have a love/hate relationship with hamstring curls on the jungle gym. They hurt so good!

Song that helps you push through the last leg of the race?Anything that is really going to push me. Maybe some Jack U or a good remix by The Chainsmokers.

First thing you are doing after your finish the race?Seeing my family and later celebrating with beer and burgers!

FHIXers Liz and Elaine have been running together for over 5 years, this past year they discovered TFR and haven’t looked back. Since becoming part of the TFR community, they have both become stronger and more FHIT overall. Getting her FHIX has taken Liz from a cardio diva to a lover of a well-rounded FHIT lifestyle.

How does getting your FHIX help you prepare for running such a challenging race?At some point, a marathon becomes as much mental as it is physical. Beyond the obvious benefits of getting a full body workout, and improving your cardiovascular health, getting your FHIX really steps up your mental game and pushes you to do more than you thought you could.

Song that helps you push through the last leg of the race?Liz: Anything by Jay Z or Kanye WestElaine: The Final Countdown

First thing you are doing after your finish the race?Liz: A hug from my mom and really long shower!Elaine: Shower, then eat and drink something decadent (Levain’s, anyone?)

Sheila, a loyal FHIXer gets her FHIX to balance out her new love of running. Since coming to TFR, she has felt some major changes in her body that allow her to push herself to new heights!

How does getting your FHIX help you prepare for running such a challenging race?Strength training. I'm not naturally built to run distance so it was crucial to get stronger before attempting my first marathon.

Favorite cross training (TFR) exercise?I love deadlifts and pistol squats. Before TFR I would have never done those by myself!

Song that helps you push through the last leg of the race?I love "do or die" by Afrojack - which I got from FHITness pro Julia Avery's class.

First thing you are doing after your finish the race?I know I will be very emotional and immediately cry - it has been quite a journey! I also will try to reach my family, my hubby and two children, call my parents, and update my friends cheerleading for me on the course and elsewhere.

Gladys and Jane are running buddies turned FHIT friends who are running the marathon together this weekend.

How does getting your FHIX help you prepare for running such a challenging race?Gladys: Since starting at TFR I've become much stronger all around (and leaner!). All those countless numbers of planks (and variations using the jungle gym and rower, etc.) and endless squats have really built up more muscle and core strength which has translated into faster running and longer running plus fewer injuries! Plus, all the FHIXES and burpees really challenge my cardio.

Jane: The FHIX definitely helps with endurance. Stronger legs, how can you not after non-stop squats, box jumps and my favorites, hamstring curls and rowing (NOT!)

Favorite cross training (TFR) exercise?Gladys: believe it or not, burpees (I have a love/hate relationship with them) and box jumps.

Jane: Have to say my favorite TFR exercises are kettlebell swings and burpees.

Song that helps you push through the last leg of the race?Gladys: Stronger (What doesn't kill you) by Kelly Clarkson (because I know I'm going to feel like I'm gonna die toward the end!)

Jane: K-Pop

First thing you are doing after your finish the race?Gladys: Hug my family then take a nice ice bath followed by a massage.

Jane: Can't wait to sip a glass of Chardonnay and get a foot and leg massage.

Big thanks for our FHIXers who contributed to this post and good luck this weekend at the marathon, you are a true FHITspiration! We will be cheering you on from the sidelines!